The Harold S. Orendorff Music Library at IUP
by Carl Rahkonen
In January 2006 the Music Library at Indiana University of Pennsylvania moved into a new facility as part of an $8.9 million renovation and expansion of Cogswell Hall, the music building. The new 6,400 square foot music library, a branch of the IUP Libraries, is located on the ground floor just inside the main entrance to Cogswell Hall. It features new automatic compact shelving housing the score collection, a large commons area with comfortable furniture, and a seminar room for small class instruction and meetings. The entire library is wireless for personal laptop use. There are new multi-media carrels with state of the art (in 2006) public computers and audio equipment for most formats.
A public rededication and plaque unveiling for the new music library was held on April 29, 2006. The library was named for Dr. Harold S. Orendorff, former Chair of the Music Department and first Dean of the College of Fine Arts at IUP. Dr. Orendorff was honored by having the auditorium of Cogswell Hall named after him, which is now part of the space that the new music library occupies. The rededication service included brief remarks by the Music Librarian, Music Department Chair, the Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and the Dean of Libraries. Richard Orendorff, Harold’s son and former Magistrate of Indiana County, spoke on behalf of the Orendorff family. Members of the IUP music faculty performed several original compositions by Harold Orendorff.
--Carl Rahkonen is Music Librarian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Photo above: Richard Orendorff speaks at the rededication and plaque unveiling – photo by Keith Boyer.